Creamy Shrimp Dip
Shrimp dip with cream cheese and mayo as the base, all whipped smooth and folded with tender salad shrimp, Old Bay, and a squeeze of lemon. This easy cold appetizer comes together in minutes and gets better the longer it chills, making it the perfect make-ahead dip for holidays, game day, or any gathering throughout the year.
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Creamy shrimp dip is one of those recipes that a lot of people already know, or at least remember from childhood. It has appeared at holiday parties for decades, usually made with frozen salad shrimp and cream cheese, and it reminds me of my mom every time. She made it every year, and it was always one of the first things I scooped up.
This is my take on that classic. I’ve kept the spirit of it intact, whipping together cream cheese and mayo until smooth, then folding in tender salad shrimp, Old Bay, lemon juice, and green onions. Those little frozen salad shrimp don’t get nearly enough credit. They’re mild, tender, and perfectly sized for a cold dip like this one, and they make it one of the easiest appetizers you can put together for a crowd. I’ve served this at holiday parties, game day celebrations, and summer gatherings alike. The nostalgia hits every time.
Ingredients For Creamy Shrimp Dip
- Cream cheese — The base of this dip. Soften it fully before mixing so it whips up smooth and lump-free.
- Mayonnaise — Loosens the cream cheese and adds richness. Full-fat mayo gives the best texture here.
- Frozen salad shrimp — Thawed and patted dry. These small, fully cooked shrimp are the star of the dip. They’re mild, tender, and ideal for folding into a cold appetizer like this one.
- Lemon juice — Brightens everything and balances the richness of the cream cheese base.
- Worcestershire sauce — Adds a subtle savory depth that rounds out the seafood flavor.
- Old Bay seasoning — The classic choice for a shrimp dip. It brings warmth and that familiar seafood seasoning flavor without overpowering the dip.
- Garlic powder — A background note that ties the seasonings together.
- Black pepper — Just enough to finish.
- Green onions — Folded in for a mild, fresh bite and a little color throughout.
- Hot sauce — Optional, to taste. A few dashes adds a gentle heat that plays well against the creamy base.
How to Make This Easy Shrimp Dip
Prepare the base. Add softened cream cheese to a medium bowl and beat with a hand mixer until smooth and fluffy. Add mayonnaise and mix until fully combined with no lumps remaining. Getting the cream cheese fully softened before you start makes all the difference here.
Season the base. Add lemon juice, Worcestershire sauce, Old Bay, garlic powder, and black pepper. Fold until everything is well incorporated and the seasoning is evenly distributed throughout.
Fold in the shrimp. Pat the salad shrimp dry with paper towels. This keeps the dip from getting watery as it chills. Roughly chop them if you prefer a finer texture, or leave them whole for more presence in each bite. Fold the shrimp and sliced green onions gently into the base, then add a few dashes of hot sauce if you like a little heat.
Chill to set. Transfer the dip to a serving bowl, cover, and refrigerate for at least one hour, or up to overnight. The flavors come together as it chills and the dip firms up into that perfect scoopable texture. If you’re building out a spread, this pairs well alongside Smoked Salmon Mousse and Crab Rangoon Dip for a table that covers all the bases.
Garnish and serve. Top with an extra sprinkle of Old Bay and a few extra sliced green onions. Serve cold with crackers and raw vegetables.
Recipe Tips & Serving Suggestions
- Soften the cream cheese fully. This is the most important step. Cold cream cheese won’t whip smooth no matter how long you mix it, so pull it out of the fridge at least 30 minutes before you start.
- Pat the shrimp dry. Frozen salad shrimp hold onto moisture even after thawing. A quick pat with paper towels before folding them in keeps the dip from getting watery as it sits.
- Don’t skip the chill time. An hour is the minimum, but overnight is better. The flavors meld and the dip firms up significantly, making it easier to scoop and better tasting all around.
- Serve it cold with something sturdy enough to hold a generous scoop. Crackers are the classic choice, but sliced cucumbers, celery sticks, bell pepper strips, and kettle chips all work well. For a full spread, this sits naturally alongside Lemon Poached Shrimp for a shrimp-forward table, or next to Smoked Salmon Mousse if you want to lean into a seafood theme.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days. Give it a stir before serving again. This dip does not freeze well, as the cream cheese base breaks down when frozen and thawed, affecting both texture and flavor.
No matter what time of year you serve this cream cheese shrimp dip, it’s sure to put a smile on your face. Be sure to save this one, because the recipe requests are sure to follow.
Creamy Shrimp Dip
Ingredients
- 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
- ½ cup mayonnaise
- 8 ounces frozen salad shrimp, thawed
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- 2 teaspoons Old Bay seasoning
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- 3 green onions, thinly sliced
- A few dashes hot sauce, to taste
Instructions
- In a medium mixing bowl, beat the softened cream cheese until smooth and fluffy.
- Add the mayonnaise and mix until fully combined.
- Add lemon juice, Worcestershire, Old Bay garlic powder and black pepper. Mix until incorporated.
- Pat the salad shrimp dry with paper towels. Fold shrimp and sliced green onions into the dip. Add some heat with a few dashes of hot sauce, stirring to combine.
- Transfer to a serving dish. Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour, up to overnight, so the flavors meld and the dip sets.
- Garnish with an additional sprinkle of Old Bay seasoning and extra green onions. Serve with crackers and raw, cut veggies.
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Made this for my Super Bowl party and it was a hit! Served it with extra crispy kettle potato chips. Delish and easy!
Kettle chips sound like the perfect companion for this dip. So glad to hear it was a winner for you.